Starfish of the Week

Matthew Knight

I select Mr. Matthew Knight as Starfish Teacher of the Week!

I  have enjoyed having Mr. Knight as a hallway neighbor for the past two years.  During that time, I have observed the positive interactions and impact that he has made on his students. His students speak highly of him and are always talking about the interesting things they are doing and creating in his class.

Mr. Knight creatively takes subjects such as cyber and robotics and turns them into engaging, hands-on learning experiences that challenge students to think, create, problem-solve, and explore.  He encourages students to try new ideas, think creatively, and make meaningful connections between what they are learning and their future endeavors.

In addition to being an engaging teacher, he is an awesome coworker who checks in on others, takes the time to see how they’re doing, and steps up to help when needed.

Truly, he is a great asset to our BJH family. I am happy to recognize him as Starfish Teacher of the Week. Congratulations!

Starfish of the Week

Sonya Jenkins

Our Starfish Teacher of the Week is Ms. Sonya Jenkins.  She has a quiet, calming nature and a sweet way of uplifting everyone around her. Her dedication to her students can be seen in the patience, encouragement, and care she gives them each day. Ms. Jenkins takes time to listen, supports students when they need reassurance, and celebrates their growth and successes. Her impact reaches beyond the classroom, as students have selected her as one of the teachers who has made the greatest impact on their lives.

Her love of reading also shines through in the way she shares that passion with her students and encourages them to discover the joy of a good book. Ms. Jenkins gives so much to her students and coworkers without looking for recognition in return. Through her kindness, positivity, and steady presence, Ms. Jenkins reminds us that making a difference does not have to be loud. Sometimes the greatest impact is made quietly, one student and one act of kindness at a time.

Starfish Teacher – Mrs. Shoemake

This week I am honored to pass the Starfish teacher award to Mrs. Shoemake!  Mrs. Shoemake goes above and beyond every single day in all that she does!  She has a true passion for education and the success of our school!  Mrs. Shoemake is at BJH more than she is at her home, even on the weekends!  She supports her students outside of the classroom just as much as inside in the classroom.  The kids love seeing her in the crowd at their events and love getting to see her in the hallways.  Mrs. Shoemake creates a lasting, positive impact on everyone she meets!  

Mrs. Shoemake also works diligently to help all teachers in the Cyber department.  She is always willing to set time aside to answer questions, share ideas and make interactive lesson plans.  She takes care of our TSA, our military star school program and never fails to make sure EVERYONE is valued and seen!  You always catch her with a smile on her face, eager to work on the next task.  Mrs. Shoemake works very hard to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.  We are SO thankful for you!!

Starfish Award – K. McGehee

This week I am presenting our Starfish Award to the fabulous Kerri McGehee, known to our dancers as Coach K.  Kerri is new to our school and district this year, and she is such a joy and a blessing to have here as part of our BJH Tribe. Kerri willingly gave up most of her summer to attend multiple workshops to prepare her for the world of teaching Cyber class, as well as earning her AI4 Middle School Certification. She also devoted countless hours this summer to our dance team to be sure they were prepared for their performances this fall. Kerri stays up here late many nights preparing everything for the next day to be sure it runs as smoothly as possible for her students. Her positivity and upbeat, outgoing personality make her an absolute joy to be around both with teachers and her students. She is doing phenomenal things with our dance team, and she works hard to push them to be their very best. She does this with her Cyber students as well. The love and compassion she has for her students is so clear when you listen to her talk to them and help them problem solve.  

Congratulations, to our newest Starfish Teacher, Coach K!!! We are so blessed and happy to have you here at BJH!!!

Amy Johnson

This week, I am honored to pass the Starfish Award to Ms. Johnson—although many of her students know her simply as “Mama J.” And I think that name alone says so much about the kind of teacher she is. Her students absolutely adore her because they know how much she genuinely cares about them. She is constantly looking for new, creative, and exciting ways to bring Mississippi Studies to life and make learning meaningful for her students, and that same dedication carries over into everything she does with the dance team.

One of the things I appreciate most about Ms. Johnson is that her impact doesn’t stop at her classroom door. She is always willing to “geek out” over a new idea, brainstorm ways we can collaborate, or figure out how we can make something work a little better for our students.  She is the kind of colleague who doesn’t just listen to a new idea—she gets excited about it right along with you.

Whether she is encouraging a student, supporting a colleague, dreaming up something new for her classroom, or simply bringing her positive energy into the building, Ms. Johnson is a light to the people around her. She truly embodies what the Starfish Award represents: making a difference, one person at a time. I am so excited to pass the Starfish on to our very own Mama J!

Starfish Teacher - Sheila Brachear

Although Sheila is new to both Special Education and Biloxi Junior High, she is already making a positive impact on our school and, most importantly, on her students. As our 8th-grade Resource teacher, Sheila consistently goes above and beyond to create meaningful lessons and individualized assignments that meet her students’ unique needs and help them grow academically. She regularly holds data chats with her students, encouraging them to take ownership of their learning by setting personal goals and celebrating their progress. When you walk into her classroom, it is easy to see the positive relationships she has already built with her students—relationships that will undoubtedly play an important role in their continued success.

Sheila has also brought her strong organizational skills, eagerness to learn, and positive attitude to the many responsibilities that come with being a Special Education teacher. She jumped right in and has worked diligently to learn the paperwork, procedures, and expectations that accompany the role. While the amount of information and responsibility can be incredibly overwhelming for a new Special Education teacher, Sheila has taken it all in stride. She approaches each new challenge with a smile, a willingness to learn, and a positive attitude. We are so fortunate to have her as part of our team!

Starfish Teacher – Liz McLeod

Mrs. McLeod is truly a hidden gem within our school. While much of her hard work happens behind the scenes, her impact on students and teachers is immeasurable. She handles an overwhelming amount of paperwork with incredible detail, diligence, and care while continually advocating for what is best for her students and their teachers.

Liz is dependable, supportive, and always willing to help. She works tirelessly to find answers, provide guidance, and ensure that her students have everything they need to succeed. She sees the best in others and encourages those around her to be their best.

Most importantly, Liz genuinely cares about her students. She carefully monitors their progress, makes adjustments when needed, and never stops advocating for their success. Her dedication, compassion, and commitment make her an invaluable part of our school community, and she absolutely deserves to be recognized for all that she does.

P Harvey, Starfish Teacher

In case you were not aware, all 850+ iPads were moved around this summer due to construction/maintenance in the library storage room. Mrs. Harvey has had to reorganize based on students and classes. She has also had to charge those that were dead, reset almost everyone of them, label them with a student's name & ELA teacher. She is doing each one individually in order to have them ready for next week. This has been a very laborious task, and she has been knocking it out, in addition to leading Yearbook and completing any other task admin and teachers have thrown her way!! We appreciate your hard work, Peyton!